http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18425 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18425 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18375 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18375 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13437
Prices are insanely low for the area and you can definitely find something for under six lira. We tried the tavuk durum for 3.75ytl - chicken, fresh vegetables and fries in a thin flatbread. It was the best thing we'd eaten in Istanbul!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13437 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13083 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13083 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11471 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11471 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10311
Situated amongst the many eateries of Divan Yolu Tarihi Selim Usta Sultanahmet Koftecisi seemed consistently bustling and busy with a steady stream of locals and tourists. Inside it is basic and functional – but what more do you need – the same could be said of the menu which, apart from kofke and kebab offers lentil soup, rice (pilav), green salad, bean salad (piyaz), yoghurt and bread as accompaniments. However in no way does that do the food justice. It is what you might call comfort food of the first degree, unfussy, straightforward and flavoursome. Lentil Soup was thick and tasty, the bean salad - seasoned with mint and a little oil - lovely and fresh, both the kebabs and kofte were nicely spiced and well cooked and the yoghurt was delicious – again a wonderful fresh, palate cleansing taste.

Sit downstairs and you are right in the middle of things with waiters scooting about taking orders and delivering food from the grill, upstairs was quieter with excellent views over Divan Yolu. Service is friendly and fast and the price is excellent – between 20 and 30 YTL (£7.20/$13.80 to £10.80/$20.70) for a meat dishes, two or three accompaniments, yoghurt, bread and a couple of drinks. This is fast food at its tastiest and best, perfect for a lunchtime break.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10311 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9880
There are some wonderful exhibits, especially the beautiful calligraphy and decorated manuscripts, vibrantly coloured tiles and also the exquisite, elaborate pins and brooches used to decorate turbans.

The later galleries and the Main Ceremonial Hall contain one of the world’s foremost collection of antique carpets. The exhibition explains the different types of carpets and how some styles are named after certain artists i.e. Holbein, because they were featured in paintings by those artists. In the west Turkish carpets were so prized that they were used as table coverings rather than on the floor, thus showing the wealth of those who owned them.

The museum also has an Ethnographical Section which includes a reconstruction of a traditional Yurt dwelling and also details of how natural dyes are made from such things as plants, dried flowers and even crushes insects.

All the exhibits are well displayed with descriptions in Turkish and English. There is a lot to take in however the museum also has a lovely tea room where you can refresh your senses and feet and, in summer, sit out on the terrace with beautiful views over the Blue Mosque.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9880 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9879
Wooden floors and ceiling are offset by orange/ochre walls and exposed brickwork, the walls also decorated by interesting metal lamp fittings. Seating is on iron or wooden chairs and some very comfortable leather banquettes.

The menu is extensive with traditional Turkish dishes – such as mixed meze, kebabs and fresh fish – on offer next to wider ranging fare such as crepes, salads and pasta. There are also a number of vegetarian options.

The food was well cooked and very tasty, more along the lines ‘comfort food’ than modern or fusion cuisine but nothing wrong with that, as attested by a number of people in the restaurant who were visiting for a second time. Indeed had we not wished to sample as many restaurants as we could we may have returned as there was a number of different things on the menu I would like to have tried. We had a couple of criticisms, the salad we ordered had a bit too many pickled/bottled vegetables, making it rather less fresh and more bland then I would have liked, and the baked potato accompaniment with one of the dishes was slightly cold, however, these are really minor caveats and didn’t effect our overall enjoyment of the meal.

Combine all the above with friendly staff and a price tag for two starters, two main courses, a dessert, two beers and a coffee of 83 YTL (approx. £34.00) and you’ve got a good evening out.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9879 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9405 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9405 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8853 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8853 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7543 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7543 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5833 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5833 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2945
Reputedly the orginal cistern was built by Constantine the Great with the curent one enlarged and rebuilt by Justinian in 532. It is an amazing feat of engineering seeing the columns (approx. 336) stretch away in front of you and above towards the arched roof.

Don't miss the Weeping Column and the Medussa Head column bases (thought to mark a shrine to water nymphs).

There is also a small coffee shop in the cistern.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2945 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2290 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2290 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1859
The medresseh itself houses workshops and exhibition rooms highlighting traditional Turkish crafts such as calligraphy, ceramics, jewellery and so on which you can look round either before or after your meal.

The food was well prepared and very tasty and our kick-boxing, friendly and attentive waiter was great!

The menu reflects more of a cafe than a restaurant feel with dishes such as lamb meatballs served with chilli and spaghetti and scrambled eggs with tomatoes and chilli]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1859 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1858
The rooms are fairly basic and quite small but clean and comfortable. They are all en-suite, have a TV and a fridge.

The views from the roof, where breakfast is served, are fantastic. Sit by the window with a plate of olives, cheese, jam and bread and stare out at the Blue Mosque and the Bosphorus.

The staff are friendly and knowledgeable and the atmosphere relaxing. Internet access is free to guests staying in the hotel.

Having stayed there twice I would recommend it to anyone on a budget.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1858